DENR exec proposes incentives for gov’t offices to conserve water

As the El Niño phenomenon threatens the water supply, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is urging all government agencies to implement water conservation measures.

In its Bulletin No. 1, the newly created Water Resources Management Office (WRMO), under the DENR, called on government agencies to observe Memorandum Circular No. 22 issued by Malacañang.

MC No. 22 mandates government agencies and instrumentalities to strictly implement water conservation measures as part of efforts to prevent a water crisis amid El Niño.

WRMO Bulletin No. 1, meanwhile, laid down the water conservation guidelines for compliance by all government offices through their building administrators.

In order to effectively impose the water conservation directive, DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David recommended providing incentives for government offices.

"In my experience, we do not respond very well with penalties. It’s better if we look for incentives we can provide," David said in a mix of English and Filipino at a virtual press briefing on Tuesday. 

"Maybe the next steps are that for every peso you save in the water bill, maybe you can partly recover it… the money saved from saving water can go back to the agency for other uses," he added.

The DENR official said he is discussing the proposal with the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management to boost the water conservation campaign.

WRMO Bulletin No. 1 provides that all agencies must have separate water meters and that they should regularly check if the meters are functioning properly.

They may contact their water service provider if a sub-meter needs to be installed.

Government agencies were also encouraged to harvest rainwater, if possible, and use it instead of potable water to clean premises or water plants.

Building administrators were also reminded to monitor leaks and faulty fixtures, especially in toilets, and to be observant of floors and walls that may be constantly wet or covered with mold due to moisture.

The WRMO also recommended the shutdown of main building valves from 7 p.m., or after employees have completely left the office, until 6 a.m. the next day.

As a guide, the WRMO said that each government employee must not consume more than 50 liters of water per day in office buildings and not more than 180 liters per day in households/condominiums, and 24/7 offices.

WRMO Bulletin No. 2 expanded the water conservation directive to all barangay officials and condominium and subdivision managers and advised residents to conserve water through the reduction of activities that consume a large amount of water, such as watering the lawn and washing vehicles. 

David said that while the government can have a big impact on conserving water, it would be "double positive" if the general public and private companies would also be ''more conscious in terms of using water." — VBL, GMA Integrated News